Towards Wawasan Brunei 2035: Early Childhood Education and Development in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

Asia’s early childhood education policies and development are still relatively new compared to European countries. Brunei Darussalam is no exception. However, Brunei may be of interest to international readers because of recent developments in the provision of formalised early childhood care and education. Brunei’s National Vision, known as Wawasan 2035, is an ambitious national agenda which supports the formal education system, among others, with specific emphasis on early childhood education and care as part of the strategic role of education. Brunei’s national goals are unique due to its widespread consultation with the citizens, on which they are built, as well as their attempt to balance modernisation with parallel efforts to retain essential cultural and spiritual values. Government commitment to this particular agenda has been forthcoming both in terms of changes in policy, ongoing supported efforts to upgrade the quality of teaching and learning in existing government preschools and funding for innovative approaches to expanding early childhood care and education.